Archive for February, 2012
Each week we find a track from an artist or band we’ve been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Canciòn de la Semana. Quetzal is the most important L.A. band that you haven’t heard of—yet. Formed as a response to the 1992 riots, the multi-ethnic six-piece collective claims the East Side as its home base and its musical inspiration—citing Chicano-related rock influences such as Ritchie Valens, Ozomatli, and The Smiths. “Imaginaries” is a gorgeous electro-folkloric interplay of dissonance and harmony, rhythm and tonality, formed by unplugged electric guitar strums and the high frequency whirring of radio knobs.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we’ll be selecting music from an independent artist who we’re excited about and bringing it to you, for free, as our Indie Free Download. Made up of ex-members of The Secret Machines and On!Air!Library! (who all met when their respective bands were opening up for Interpol), School of Seven Bells have just released their third album together, from which "Scavenger" is taken. It’s a track awash in the post-goth atmospherics and shoegaze bliss of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Heavy in mood with plenty of textured guitars–ideal for the late night brigade.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we find a track from an artist or band we’ve been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Mona is a Nashville-based four-piece that blends big, bluesy pop rock with soaring vocal cadences teeming with sneering attitude. Stormy guitar effects, atmospheric embellishments, and Nick Brown’s vocal tonality on “Shooting the Moon” remind us of a more methodical, slowly simmering version of Rush’s “Tom Sawyer.” Plus, the poetic lyrics have us trying to untangle Brown’s vengeful monologue as we rock out.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we select music from an independent artist we’re excited about and bring it to you, for free, as our Indie Free Download. Grimes is the one-woman band of Claire Boucher, an intensely self-aware 23-year-old electro-pop phenom from Montreal with big ideas about the spectacle of stardom. She envisions herself as knob-twirler and diva in one heavenly body—like SBTRKT and Katy B as one. “Oblivion” could very well make this eccentric a household name, with its layers of celestial, Cocteau Twins–like chipmunk voices and stubby synths that evoke a kind of Moog-y blues.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we find a track from an artist or band we’ve been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Sol Pereyra was once a member of Los Concineros and a part of Julieta Venegas’ touring band, but back in 2009 the versatile multi-instrumentalist with the sunny and sweet voice ventured forth with her debut solo album, Bla Bla Bla. Her latest single is “Comunmixta,” an indie pop/rock number that slathers Latin guitar phrasing over a hip-swinging synth track.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we select music from an independent artist we’re excited about and bring it to you, for free, as our Indie Free Download. Covington, Ky.-based singer/songwriter Jesse Thomas throws a log on the pyre with “Fire,” an acoustic song whose quiet passion is both moving and soothing. With her inclusive campfire spirit and ear for disarming melody, Thomas is one of those “moved to California with a dollar and a dream” stories. More songs like “Fire,” and she’ll be on her way to a happy ending. “Fire” appears on her debut album, War Dancer.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we find a track from an artist or band we’ve been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Canciòn de la Semana. Trumpeteer and bandleader Arturo Sandoval is a titan of Latin jazz. He jammed with his idol Dizzy Gillespie in the ’60s and ’70s and helped popularize Afro-Cuban jazz in the U.S. “Come Candela” is a jubilant celebration of the genre. Waves of undulating tropical brass are steeped in sensual mambo rhythms and occasionally seasoned with flute accents. The vocal choruses are part of the overall sound rather than a guiding narrative.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we find a track from an artist or band we’ve been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Gregory Porter’s “Real Good Hands” is a jazzy R&B track built on a superb premise. The singer from Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood breaks down his true intentions to his girlfriend’s parents. No flop sweat here: over a sticky slow jam, Porter exudes warmth and character reminiscent of Bill Withers, Nat King Cole, or Donny Hathaway. Guys, if you’re planning to propose to your girl this week, use "Real Good Hands" as a motivational tool. "Real Good Hands" appears on the Porter album Be Good.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we select music from an independent artist we’re excited about and bring it to you, for free, as our Indie Free Download. Brooklyn singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten excels in a powerful confessional aesthetic, where whispers speak higher volumes than screams. With “Serpents,” Van Etten uses churning, cascading guitars and choice words to cleanse her vulnerable wounds—it’s the ideal antidote to the venom circulating in her bloodstream. “Serpents” appears on the Van Etten album Tramp.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
